David Mathews
The season was blighted in the worst possible way, by the sudden death of David Matthews, the Colts coach. David had a close rapport with the players and with his calm and cheerful approach found the youngsters responded well to his coaching. A trophy will be presented annually in David's memory to the junior player who has made the greatest contribution to his side during the season.
Joseph Barker
President 1968-1970
John Symm
Full Back before and after the 1939/45 war - held posts as Teams Secretary and Fixtures Secretary.
All credit this year to John Robinson and his Special Efforts team . Were it not for Special Efforts revenue, the club would have serious financial difficulties. This year efforts included an inaugural Motor Show, the fourth Tynedale Agricultural Show, pre-match lunches, supper evenings, a Jazz night, a Traction Rally and two Harness Race meetings. In addition to all of these the 200 club and Meat Draw once again made good profits.
Next season, the Special Efforts team is to be split into two, with one group dealing with purely social 'in-house' activities and another for outside events.
The 1st XV had a season of mixed results - due mainly to the number of injuries; no fewer than 45 players turned out for the side before December.
It was a very young team - with 10 or more regulars being 22 years old of under. Youngsters who forced their way in were Sean Crystal, Richard Cunningham, Martin White, Gordon Dodd and Philip Sharman. For the first time in ten seasons the first fifteen reached the Northumberland cup-final - losing 12-17 to Gosforth.
An extremely successful Easter Tour of Gloucester was held - beating Ledbury and Coney Hill and winning the Ross-on-Wye Sevens (and also the Plate) whilst losing out to Hereford. An excellent time was had by all.
A ramp into the clubhouse was constructed thanks to the efforts of Walter Rutherford, Bill Dinning, Len Wood and David Ford whose efforts meant it was constructed at a mere fraction of the cost an outside contractor would have incurred.
Congratulations are due to John Clark who, on the recommendation of the Northumberland Fields Association, was presented with a trophy from the Torch Trophy Trust by the National Playing Fields Association. The award was made in recognition of his services to youth sport and was presented to him by H.R.H. The Duuchess of Kent. He has handed the Trophy to the Club where it now rests.
The departure of Wilf Young, groundsman for many years both at Dene Park, hexham and then at Tynedale Park, was a blow. His retirement because of the ill-health of his wife and the constant attention she required was recognised by a 'farewill night' and the presentation of a cheque and tankard. Gary Treadgold was appointed as replacement.
|
|
Played |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
F |
A |
|
1st XV |
33 |
14 |
5 |
14 |
405 |
445 |
|
2nd XV |
25 |
16 |
1 |
8 |
376 |
278 |
|
'Hoppers |
30 |
19 |
1 |
10 |
565 |
351 |
|
3rd XV |
29 |
16 |
0 |
13 |
446 |
371 |
|
4th XV |
16 |
6 |
1 |
9 |
181 |
216 |